'''Theodore Roosevelt Schellenberg''' (1903-1970) was born to Abraham Lawrence and Sarah Schroeder Schellenberg on February 24, 1903 in Garden Township, Harvey County, Kansas.<ref>Another source claims this was Reno County: "Theodore R. Schellenberg (1903-1970) and the National Archives," ''Mennonite Bibliography'', 1969, rev. from ''The Mennonite Encyclopedia'', 1969. http://www.bethelks.edu/mennonitelife/bibliographies/1969a.pdf</ref> While Schellenberg had only two siblings, he claimed an extensive base of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Schellenberg’s parents both immigrated to the United States from Russia. His father was an educated professional who attended seminary in Rochester, New York, received his bachelor’s degree from McPherson College (1894-1896), and went on to hold positions of town mayor, minister, school teacher, and editor.<ref>James O’Toole in his ANB entry misleads the reader as to the educational background and professional successes in Schellenberg’s family history when he labels them as “farmers,” a job that was performed only as a means to generate a supplementary family income. He also mislabels his father’s position in the publishing house as “director” when in fact he was elected to the position of “editor” by the Mennonite Brethren Church.</ref> Controversial and unafraid to challenge the status quo in his writings (a trait Schellenberg would later emulate), Abraham ardently expressed in his editorials sympathetic views for Germany’s position during World War I--a time when sympathizers were frequently viewed as traitors. He was eventually reported, branded as disloyal, and forced to give up his position at the newspaper where he worked. Schellenberg, despite his father’s political influences and negative interactions with the government, aspired to spend his life helping to preserve and promote America’s national history. Emboldened with the knowledge that he could survive the consequences of criticism and personal attack, Schellenberg dared to challenge British principles and techniques which were being used at archives in the U. S. and pioneered new theoretical and practical methods for archival [[appraisal]]. In many ways, Schellenberg’s struggle for independence mirrors the history of his own nation and its founding fathers. By abandoning the vestiges of European ties and traditions in his family as well as the rules in his profession, which to him felt imposed rather than adopted, Schellenberg arrived at revolutionary ideas which made the United States unique in its archival outlook.

+

'''Theodore Roosevelt Schellenberg''' (1903-1970) was born to Abraham Lawrence and Sarah Schroeder Schellenberg on February 24, [[1903]] in Garden Township, Harvey County, Kansas.<ref>Another source claims this was Reno County: "Theodore R. Schellenberg (1903-1970) and the National Archives," ''Mennonite Bibliography'', [[1969]], rev. from ''The Mennonite Encyclopedia'', [[1969]]. http://www.bethelks.edu/mennonitelife/bibliographies/1969a.pdf</ref> While Schellenberg had only two siblings, he claimed an extensive base of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Schellenberg’s parents both immigrated to the United States from Russia. His father was an educated professional who attended seminary in Rochester, New York, received his bachelor’s degree from McPherson College (1894-1896), and went on to hold positions of town mayor, minister, school teacher, and editor.<ref>James O’Toole in his ANB entry misleads the reader as to the educational background and professional successes in Schellenberg’s family history when he labels them as “farmers,” a job that was performed only as a means to generate a supplementary family income. He also mislabels his father’s position in the publishing house as “director” when in fact he was elected to the position of “editor” by the Mennonite Brethren Church.</ref> Controversial and unafraid to challenge the status quo in his writings (a trait Schellenberg would later emulate), Abraham ardently expressed in his editorials sympathetic views for Germany’s position during World War I--a time when sympathizers were frequently viewed as traitors. He was eventually reported, branded as disloyal, and forced to give up his position at the newspaper where he worked. Schellenberg, despite his father’s political influences and negative interactions with the government, aspired to spend his life helping to preserve and promote America’s national history. Emboldened with the knowledge that he could survive the consequences of criticism and personal attack, Schellenberg dared to challenge British principles and techniques which were being used at archives in the U. S. and pioneered new theoretical and practical methods for archival [[appraisal]]. In many ways, Schellenberg’s struggle for independence mirrors the history of his own nation and its founding fathers. By abandoning the vestiges of European ties and traditions in his family as well as the rules in his profession, which to him felt imposed rather than adopted, Schellenberg arrived at revolutionary ideas which made the United States unique in its archival outlook.

==Education==

==Education==

-

Schellenberg’s education began at McPherson (1908-12) and Hillsboro (1912-5) elementary schools followed by secondary education at Hillsboro High School (1916-8) and Tabor Academy (1919-22). He attended Tabor College (1924-6) and then transferred to the University of Kansas where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor’s degree in history in 1928. The following year he remained at the university, beginning his Master’s degree in history, and married Alma Groening with whom he later had two children. He received an AM in history from the University of Kansas, followed by a Ph.D. in history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1934. An article based on Schellenberg’s dissertation called "Jeffersonian Origins of the Monroe Doctrine" appeared in ''Hispanic American Historical Review'' in 1934 and was his first publication.

+

Schellenberg’s education began at McPherson (1908-12) and Hillsboro (1912-5) elementary schools followed by secondary education at Hillsboro High School (1916-8) and Tabor Academy (1919-22). He attended Tabor College (1924-6) and then transferred to the University of Kansas where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor’s degree in history in 1928. The following year he remained at the university, beginning his Master’s degree in history, and married Alma Groening with whom he later had two children. He received an AM in history from the University of Kansas, followed by a Ph.D. in history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1934. An article based on Schellenberg’s dissertation called "Jeffersonian Origins of the Monroe Doctrine" appeared in ''Hispanic American Historical Review'' in [[1934]] and was his first publication.

In the years following the completion of his doctorate, Schellenberg began what was to be a turbulent, yet successful career with the federal government. He was immediately appointed to Executive Secretary of the Joint Committee on Materials for Research for the American Council for Learned Societies and Social Science Research, a post which he held for one year. Then, from 1935 to 1938, he landed a coveted position among his entry-level peers, Deputy Examiner at the [[National Archives]]. During this tenure he also briefly served as History Assistant for the National Parks Service and also became the Associate National Director of the Survey of Public Records for the WPA, a program which was responsible for the employment and hands-on training for a large number of new American archivists. Following this success, he was promoted to Chief of the Agricultural Department Archives and held that position from 1938 to 1945. After the war Schellenberg worked as the Director of Archival Management (1950-1956) and it was in this position that he directed a massive document reappraisal in order to deaccession old records and selectively appraise new records which were being created in voluminous bulk by federal agencies for retention. Schellenberg found that trying to apply traditional European principles to solve modern American archival problems--combined with untrained workers and inconsistent application of [[appraisal]] methodology within the federal government—did not work. He endeavored to come up with a new system of appraisal which could be codified into practical rules.

+

In the years following the completion of his doctorate, Schellenberg began what was to be a turbulent, yet successful career with the federal government. He was immediately appointed to Executive Secretary of the Joint Committee on Materials for Research for the American Council for Learned Societies and Social Science Research, a post which he held for one year. Then, from [[1935]] to [[1938]], he landed a coveted position among his entry-level peers, Deputy Examiner at the [[National Archives]]. During this tenure he also briefly served as History Assistant for the National Parks Service and also became the Associate National Director of the Survey of Public Records for the WPA, a program which was responsible for the employment and hands-on training for a large number of new American archivists. Following this success, he was promoted to Chief of the Agricultural Department Archives and held that position from [[1938]] to [[1945]]. After the war Schellenberg worked as the Director of Archival Management (1950-1956) and it was in this position that he directed a massive document reappraisal in order to deaccession old records and selectively appraise new records which were being created in voluminous bulk by federal agencies for retention. Schellenberg found that trying to apply traditional European principles to solve modern American archival problems--combined with untrained workers and inconsistent application of [[appraisal]] methodology within the federal government—did not work. He endeavored to come up with a new system of appraisal which could be codified into practical rules.

==Publication History==

==Publication History==

-

In 1954 Schellenberg was awarded a Fulbright lectureship in Australia and New Zealand where he made landmark changes to Australia’s national archives program. The result was a series of pamphlets which became the groundwork for his first major book publication, ''The Appraisal of Modern Public Records'' (1956). This work was an attempt to supersede the ''Manual of Archival Administration'' by his older contemporary Sir Hilary Jenkinson. Schellenberg referred to Jenkinson as an “old fossil” whose outdated ideas were in need of revision. Schellenberg, in stark contrast to Jenkinson, believed that a record’s “character” rather than its “quality” should be the basis for evidentiary appraisal decisions. Character, as Schellenberg described it, could be categorized as one of two types: those records possessing primary value and those with secondary value. Schellenberg distinguished [[primary value]] as one which reflects the “administrative, fiscal, legal, [or] operating” actions of the record creator. Those of [[secondary value]], he argued, should be kept because they exhibit a an unintended new use which emerges after the record becomes inactive. He further divided secondary value into two types: evidential value and informational value. [[Evidential value]] reveals “evidence” as to the "structure, functions, and hierarchical interrelationships of the creating body,” while [[informational value]], means the record contains a unique concentration of information about “persons, corporate bodies, things, problems, [or] conditions.” Active selection of records by the archivist, based on these values, Schellenberg argued, is a better way to reflect the character of an organization and to preserve its history than to passively collect everything. <ref>T. R. Schellenberg. ''The Appraisal of Modern Public Records.'' Washington: NARA, 1956.</ref>

+

In 1954 Schellenberg was awarded a Fulbright lectureship in Australia and New Zealand where he made landmark changes to Australia’s national archives program. The result was a series of pamphlets which became the groundwork for his first major book publication, ''The Appraisal of Modern Public Records'' ([[1956]]). This work was an attempt to supersede the ''Manual of Archival Administration'' by his older contemporary Sir Hilary Jenkinson. Schellenberg referred to Jenkinson as an “old fossil” whose outdated ideas were in need of revision. Schellenberg, in stark contrast to Jenkinson, believed that a record’s “character” rather than its “quality” should be the basis for evidentiary appraisal decisions. Character, as Schellenberg described it, could be categorized as one of two types: those records possessing primary value and those with secondary value. Schellenberg distinguished [[primary value]] as one which reflects the “administrative, fiscal, legal, [or] operating” actions of the record creator. Those of [[secondary value]], he argued, should be kept because they exhibit a an unintended new use which emerges after the record becomes inactive. He further divided secondary value into two types: evidential value and informational value. [[Evidential value]] reveals “evidence” as to the "structure, functions, and hierarchical interrelationships of the creating body,” while [[informational value]], means the record contains a unique concentration of information about “persons, corporate bodies, things, problems, [or] conditions.” Active selection of records by the archivist, based on these values, Schellenberg argued, is a better way to reflect the character of an organization and to preserve its history than to passively collect everything. <ref>T. R. Schellenberg. ''The Appraisal of Modern Public Records.'' Washington: NARA, [[1956]].</ref>

==Professional Contributions==

==Professional Contributions==

-

Following this publication, Schellenberg work was translated into several languages. The success of his book let to his appointment to [[Assistant Archivist of the United States]], a post he held until 1963, after which he taught university courses in archival administration and document preservation. Schellenberg’s second major work, ''The Management of Archives'' (1965), emerged as a product of his teaching experiences. In it he applied archival principles to the disposal of manuscripts in nongovernmental organizations and controversially suggested that the systematic methods used to teach students in library school lend themselves to teaching archival theory better than those of history programs.

+

Following this publication, Schellenberg work was translated into several languages. The success of his book let to his appointment to [[Assistant Archivist of the United States]], a post he held until [[1963]], after which he taught university courses in archival administration and document preservation. Schellenberg’s second major work, ''The Management of Archives'' ([[1965]]), emerged as a product of his teaching experiences. In it he applied archival principles to the disposal of manuscripts in nongovernmental organizations and controversially suggested that the systematic methods used to teach students in library school lend themselves to teaching archival theory better than those of history programs.

-

T. R. Schellenberg died on January 14, 1970 at the age of 67 in Arlington Virginia. While his two major works remain classics in the history of [[archival administration]], and fundamental to the understanding of the profession, archivist-critics of the [[post-custodial era]] have specifically targeted Schellenberg’s appraisal theory and methods for revision, particularly [[Terry Cook]], [[Leonard Rapport]], [[Frank Boles]], [[Luciana Duranti]], [[Hans Booms]], [[Charles M. Dollar]], and [[Terry Eastwood]].

+

T. R. Schellenberg died on January 14, [[1970]] at the age of 67 in Arlington Virginia. While his two major works remain classics in the history of [[archival administration]], and fundamental to the understanding of the profession, archivist-critics of the [[post-custodial era]] have specifically targeted Schellenberg’s appraisal theory and methods for revision, particularly [[Terry Cook]], [[Leonard Rapport]], [[Frank Boles]], [[Luciana Duranti]], [[Hans Booms]], [[Charles M. Dollar]], and [[Terry Eastwood]].

Current revision as of 17:03, 9 February 2011

Born: Garden Township, KansasDied: Arlington, Virginia (age 66)
Nationality: U.S.Education: Tabor College, University of Kansas, University of PennsylvaniaField: HistoryAcademic Advisor: unknownKnown for: Assistant Archivist of the United States | The Appraisal of Modern Public Records | The Management of Archives

Early life

Theodore Roosevelt Schellenberg (1903-1970) was born to Abraham Lawrence and Sarah Schroeder Schellenberg on February 24, 1903 in Garden Township, Harvey County, Kansas.[1] While Schellenberg had only two siblings, he claimed an extensive base of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Schellenberg’s parents both immigrated to the United States from Russia. His father was an educated professional who attended seminary in Rochester, New York, received his bachelor’s degree from McPherson College (1894-1896), and went on to hold positions of town mayor, minister, school teacher, and editor.[1] Controversial and unafraid to challenge the status quo in his writings (a trait Schellenberg would later emulate), Abraham ardently expressed in his editorials sympathetic views for Germany’s position during World War I--a time when sympathizers were frequently viewed as traitors. He was eventually reported, branded as disloyal, and forced to give up his position at the newspaper where he worked. Schellenberg, despite his father’s political influences and negative interactions with the government, aspired to spend his life helping to preserve and promote America’s national history. Emboldened with the knowledge that he could survive the consequences of criticism and personal attack, Schellenberg dared to challenge British principles and techniques which were being used at archives in the U. S. and pioneered new theoretical and practical methods for archival appraisal. In many ways, Schellenberg’s struggle for independence mirrors the history of his own nation and its founding fathers. By abandoning the vestiges of European ties and traditions in his family as well as the rules in his profession, which to him felt imposed rather than adopted, Schellenberg arrived at revolutionary ideas which made the United States unique in its archival outlook.

Education

Schellenberg’s education began at McPherson (1908-12) and Hillsboro (1912-5) elementary schools followed by secondary education at Hillsboro High School (1916-8) and Tabor Academy (1919-22). He attended Tabor College (1924-6) and then transferred to the University of Kansas where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor’s degree in history in 1928. The following year he remained at the university, beginning his Master’s degree in history, and married Alma Groening with whom he later had two children. He received an AM in history from the University of Kansas, followed by a Ph.D. in history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1934. An article based on Schellenberg’s dissertation called "Jeffersonian Origins of the Monroe Doctrine" appeared in Hispanic American Historical Review in 1934 and was his first publication.
[1]

Employment

In the years following the completion of his doctorate, Schellenberg began what was to be a turbulent, yet successful career with the federal government. He was immediately appointed to Executive Secretary of the Joint Committee on Materials for Research for the American Council for Learned Societies and Social Science Research, a post which he held for one year. Then, from 1935 to 1938, he landed a coveted position among his entry-level peers, Deputy Examiner at the National Archives. During this tenure he also briefly served as History Assistant for the National Parks Service and also became the Associate National Director of the Survey of Public Records for the WPA, a program which was responsible for the employment and hands-on training for a large number of new American archivists. Following this success, he was promoted to Chief of the Agricultural Department Archives and held that position from 1938 to 1945. After the war Schellenberg worked as the Director of Archival Management (1950-1956) and it was in this position that he directed a massive document reappraisal in order to deaccession old records and selectively appraise new records which were being created in voluminous bulk by federal agencies for retention. Schellenberg found that trying to apply traditional European principles to solve modern American archival problems--combined with untrained workers and inconsistent application of appraisal methodology within the federal government—did not work. He endeavored to come up with a new system of appraisal which could be codified into practical rules.

Publication History

In 1954 Schellenberg was awarded a Fulbright lectureship in Australia and New Zealand where he made landmark changes to Australia’s national archives program. The result was a series of pamphlets which became the groundwork for his first major book publication, The Appraisal of Modern Public Records (1956). This work was an attempt to supersede the Manual of Archival Administration by his older contemporary Sir Hilary Jenkinson. Schellenberg referred to Jenkinson as an “old fossil” whose outdated ideas were in need of revision. Schellenberg, in stark contrast to Jenkinson, believed that a record’s “character” rather than its “quality” should be the basis for evidentiary appraisal decisions. Character, as Schellenberg described it, could be categorized as one of two types: those records possessing primary value and those with secondary value. Schellenberg distinguished primary value as one which reflects the “administrative, fiscal, legal, [or] operating” actions of the record creator. Those of secondary value, he argued, should be kept because they exhibit a an unintended new use which emerges after the record becomes inactive. He further divided secondary value into two types: evidential value and informational value. Evidential value reveals “evidence” as to the "structure, functions, and hierarchical interrelationships of the creating body,” while informational value, means the record contains a unique concentration of information about “persons, corporate bodies, things, problems, [or] conditions.” Active selection of records by the archivist, based on these values, Schellenberg argued, is a better way to reflect the character of an organization and to preserve its history than to passively collect everything. [1]

Professional Contributions

Following this publication, Schellenberg work was translated into several languages. The success of his book let to his appointment to Assistant Archivist of the United States, a post he held until 1963, after which he taught university courses in archival administration and document preservation. Schellenberg’s second major work, The Management of Archives (1965), emerged as a product of his teaching experiences. In it he applied archival principles to the disposal of manuscripts in nongovernmental organizations and controversially suggested that the systematic methods used to teach students in library school lend themselves to teaching archival theory better than those of history programs.

Archival and Manuscript Resources

Manuscript and archival materials are held at the Kansas State Historical Society, the National Archives Library, and Tabor College Library. Obituaries can be found in the Washington Post and Tabor Bulletin.

Biographical Chronology

1926-28 Attended University of Kansas, received AB in History (graduated Phi Beta Kappa)

1929 Married Alma Groening

1929-30 Attended University of Kansas, received AM in History

1930-4 Attended University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D. in History)

1934-5 Executive Secretary Joint Committee on Materials for Research, American Council for Learned Societies and the Social Science Research Council (helped to write a pioneering report on the use of microfilm for the preservation of historical records)

1935 History Assistant National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington D. C. (historian)

1935 Associate National Director, Survey of Federal Archives, WPA

1935-8 Deputy Examiner, National Archives

1938-45 Chief, Agricultural Department Archives

1945-8 Records Officer, Office of Price Administration and War Production Board

1948-9 Program Advisor

1950-6 Director of Archival Management

1953 Developed an extensive training program for the National Archives [1]

European Background of the Monroe Doctrine, 1818-1923. Diss. University of Pennsylvania, 1934.

Index to the hearings on the Codes of fair competition held under the National Industrial Recovery Act / prepared by T.R. Schellenberg, executive secretary, Joint Committee on Materials for Research of the American Council of Learned Societies and the Social Science Research Council (Washinton DC: 1934), (Reprinted: Washington, NARA, 1943).

Guide to the hearings on the marketing agreements, codes, licenses and processing tax matters of the Agricultural adjustment administration. (Joint Committee on Materials for Research, United States, 1934.)

Hearings on the code of fair competition held under the National industrial recovery act, deposited at the Code record station of the National industrial recovery administration Copied by the Joint committee on materials for research of the American council of learned societies and the Social science research council. (United States.; Joint Committee on Materials for Research, 1934), (Washington, D.C., 1980).

“Library Applications of Micro-photocopying.” LJ 60 (1935): 289-282. Manual on methods of reproducing research materials; a survey made for the Joint Committee on Materials for Research of the Social Science Research Council and the American Council of Learned Societies, by Robert C. Binkley, with the assistance of T. R. Schellenberg (Ann Arbor, MI: Edwards, 1936).

Methods of reproducing research materials a survey made for the Joint Committee on Materials for Research of the Social Science Research Council and the American Council of Learned Societies, 1900-1983? by Robert C. Binkley ... with the assistance of Dr. T.R. Schellenberg, Professor Miles Hanley, Miss Josephine McCarter, Miss Adeline Barry and many others. Alternate Title: Reproducing research materials. Notes: Lithoprinted./

Wolff-Wilson, Alison. Authority control as an alternative to the record group concept : comments from the writings of T.R. Schellenberg. CIDS Seminar. (Washington, 1986). 2 pages. Notes: "May 30, 1986."/ Done in connection with the special CIDS Seminar, conducted by Actinig Archivist, Frank G. Burke, from Mar. 14 through May 30, 1986./ Bibliography: leaves [1]-2 (2nd foliation).

Bibliography -- Manuscript Materials, A Chronology

Methods of coordinating the work upon records by the Department of Agriculture and the National Archives : paper read before an in-service training group of the Department of Agriculture August 21, 1939. ( [Washington, D.C.] : National Archives, 1939). 4 pages. Holding Library=National Archives Library (MD).

Bibliography -- Archival Materials

Personal papers available at Kansas State Historical Society. 28 microfilm reels. No restrictions. Microfilm (no. MS 1137-MS 1163 and MS 1244. Associated materials: The papers, of A.L. Schellenberg, 1897-1941, father of T.R. Schellenberg (boxes 2, 3, and 4 of the T.R. Schellenberg, MS. Collection no. 17, comprising a total of twenty-four boxes) have not been microfilmed. A description of these records, as well as additional information about other parts of this collection, may be found in the series list, available in the Research Room of the Kansas State Historical Society./ Roll number contents list available in the repository.”

H. G. Jones. AA 28.4 (1965): 565. Points out that the purpose of the book is to function as a manual to apply “archival principles and techniques to . . . manuscript collections and to the records of nongovernmental bodies.” And that “the major obstacle to improved administration of records is the absence of a systematized, standardized set of archival definitions, principles and techniques” leading to “confusion” by archivists. The reviewer criticizes Schellenberg for not addressing the legal implications and for waffling on the issue of the role of records manager between his two books. Notes how the book will spark a debate on the training of archivists.

Hilda Lofthouse. Library Review 20 (1966): 349. Anticipates the rivalry between the second edition of Jenkinson’s Manual of Archive Administration which appeared that same year. Criticizes for length.

Icko Iben. LQ 36 (1966): 265. “As a didactic device this volume would be hard to surpass,” but criticizes him for repetitiveness and not being concise. Notes that the suggestion that archivists should be trained in library schools is controversial.

J. W. Dudley. Library Resources and Technical Services 10 (1966): 349. Correctly anticipates that problems that will arise when Schellenberg’s rules derived from his National Archives experience are applied to small archives. Stresses the fact Schellenberg is attempting to shift from librarian approach to an archival one by first “defining the principles and techniques of the profession” and then standardizing them.

R. E. Stevens. LJ 90 (1965): 3425. Notes that other than Shellenberg, “there is no literature of American archival practice.” However, states that archivists are “jealous” of librarians for their “established practices.”

Bibliography -- Secondary Works: Schellenberg Publications Mentioned

Modern Archives: Principles and Techniques (1956), originally published as a circular for the staff at the National Archives called Appraisal of Modern Records,[1] was described as “a replacement for Jenkinson’s Manual of Archive Administration” which Schellenberg felt was “outdated” and “unreliable.”[1]

The Management of Archives (1965) described as a “controversial” work which resulted as part of his teaching experience after retirement that dared to argue that “archive science should be taught in library schools.”[1]